Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury celebrates after scoring during the first period in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Colorado Avalanche are gearing up for contract negotiations that could push Cale Makar into a new salary bracket. Pierre LeBrun says Makar’s camp is using Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million annual value as a starting point.Makar is in the final year of his six-year, $54 million deal and just finished 2025-26 with 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games. Colorado wants to retain its top defenseman, but not at the expense of squeezing the rest of the roster, and the next number could shift the top end of the defenseman market.
Cale Makar and Colorado Avalanche discuss historic NHL contract extension
The Colorado Avalanche might have to shell out a record price to keep Cale Makar in Denver. Kaprizov’s extension with the Minnesota Wild established the market at the top end, and now Makar’s camp has a firm figure to reference.Category
Details
Player
Cale Makar
Current Team
Colorado Avalanche
Position
Defenseman
Shoots
Right
Height
5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Nationality
Canadian
Birthplace
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Age
Born October 30, 1998
Draft Information
Selected fourth overall in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche
Contract Status
Entering the final season of his six-year, $54 million contract signed in 2021, with a $9 million cap hit through 2026-27
Main Concern for Colorado Avalanche
Retaining Makar while preserving salary-cap flexibility
Salary Benchmark
Kirill Kaprizov’s reported $17 million average annual value with the Minnesota Wild
Why This Deal Matters
Could set a new salary record for defensemen and reshape NHL contract expectations
Playing Style
Elite two-way defenseman with high-end skating, puck movement, and scoring ability
2025-26 Production
20 goals, 59 assists, and 79 points in 75 games
League-Wide Impact
Could influence future negotiations for Quinn Hughes and other elite defensemen
Why Pierre LeBrun’s report matters for Cale Makar
Why Pierre LeBrun’s report matters: It provides Cale Makar with a direct comparison. Kaprizov’s deal with the Minnesota Wild set a new ceiling, and Makar’s camp can point to that number in every negotiation.
What Cale Makar has done for the Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar followed that up in 2025-26. He had 20 goals, 59 assists and 79 points in 75 contests. The former Norris Trophy winner remains Colorado’s best puck mover from the blue line.
How Colorado Avalanche cap space affects Quinn Hughes talks
Colorado Avalanche cap space will be a factor beyond this one deal. A deal near Kaprizov’s number could impact future negotiations for Vancouver Canucks star Quinn Hughes and other top defensemen. The next offer from Colorado will tell one how far the market will go.